Table manners have a history, like so many other things we practice today. The first record of a set of table manners comes from the Old Kingdom of Egypt from a book entitled The Instruction of Ptahhotep written around 2500 b.c. Known as the Prisse Papyrus discovered by an archeoligst by that name, the record predates the Bible by about 2,000 years. Scholars believe it was advice written for young men climbing the social ladder. “Laugh when he laughs” and “say nothing about their failing philosophy , so that thou shalt be very agreeable to his heart.” Simply put, kiss up to the boss. It is believed that many directives about manners found in proverbs and Ecclesiates reflect these ancient instructions, particuarily applying to preparation and consumption of food.
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